Texas Cop Who Fatally Shot 16-Year-Old Is Charged With Murder

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An off-duty Texas police officer who shot and killed a 16-year-old and wounded another juvenile was arrested Wednesday for murder and aggravated assault, the Associated Press reports. Farmers Branch Police Officer Ken Johnson was taken into custody Wednesday night and was booked into the Dallas County Jail.

The fatal shooting occurred Sunday at a gas station in Addison, Texas. Authorities say that Johnson reportedly saw a vehicle being burglarized in his apartment-complex parking lot and chased the subjects when they fled. The vehicle the suspects were in reportedly spun out about half a mile away, and an altercation led to the shooting.

Jose Raul Cruz, 16, was killed in the incident, and the other juvenile, who was also hit, was hospitalized. 

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Johnson's attorney said that his client feared for his life. Johnson was not injured in the incident. Authorities have not said whether the juveniles were armed at the time. 

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Addison Police Chief Paul Spencer said in a statement Wednesday that there was "probable cause" for the officer's arrest, adding that an investigation into the shooting will take several more weeks. 

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Read more at the Associated Press